Pigs and Blankets

by ShizaAssassian316

Just another day in Nerima, but what happens when you throw in a little pink piglet into the boiling pot? Look's like another crazy adventure for Ranma and the gang. Things will turn out right in the end, like they always do, right? (I'M BACK!)

12. Chapter 12

Hey, hey, HEEEEY! I'm back with another installment of Pigs and Blankets! What will unfold here in this exciting chapter?! Sorry this took a long time, but it very hard trying to figure out how the battle would go, but I think I figured a way to make it workout in the end! For those still waiting and re-reading the story, you guys are super awesome!

Do read on, and get ready for some Ranma drama, action, and the grand finish of this exciting chapter! And of course, ENJOY!

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Chapter XII

No clouds were in sight on the bright Saturday morning, and Furikan baseball field was temporarily the home of a giant six room kitchen stage. In the audience before the stage, housed many seats for the growing crowd to get comfortable.

Sitting off to the left of the giant stage was the table for the judges of the event, and a few lucky students who were chosen to try the freshly cooked food today. The contestants performing on stage were prepping their kitchen, checking their stock and reviewing their special menu over with their selected crew.

One okonomiyaki chef was standing alone in her kitchen.

Ukyo double checked her cutlery and utensils like basic practice back in her restaurant. While cleaning for counter top, for the fifth time she talked to herself, going over her menu for the match.

"Vegetable stock is full to the brim in the refrigerator, have the milk and eggs there too. Okay, okay I'm good-"

"Well well if it isn't the cheating cook from the slums of Osaka?" Ukyo paused from her seventh time wiping down her counter with a twitch to her face.

"Kodachi." Ukyo spoke as calming as possible, she was not feeling up for tolerating the girl's mouth, or anything else for that matter. She had ten minutes before the match started, and she would like to enjoy the peace before the usual chaos began. "What do you want? Don't you have your own station to worry about?"

"Hmm-mmm! Just wanted to wish you the best of luck because you know, this is the last time we will be competing for Ramna-sama, who will be my future husband."

"Uso! Ranma will be Shampoo's future husband!" Shampoo jumped into the small group, fist on her hips.

"Hmph, the foreigner bimbo has arrived. Don't you have some noodles to serve, you jí pîn!"

"What did you call me?!" Shampoo hissed, her chui suddenly appearing in both hands.

Ukyo did not want to be anyway near these two destructive girls, she had a food contest to worry about-!

"Ranma's Shampoo's Airen!"

"No, he's mine! My soon-to-be husban-"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" the chef slammed her fist against the granite table tops, halting Shampoo and Kodachi screaming match to now look at Ukyo with confusion. Ukyo stood her ground despite now having almost everyone's attention on her now, she glared hard at her opponents. "You two need to shut up about who Ranma belongs to. That's the whole reason about this competition: this event will decide who is the victor, the true bride. All this loud crying and bickering will not help win any favor in the end, so save your energy for when it's time to cook!"

"Ukyo's right ladies, we wouldn't want you to not be at your best." Nodoka was walking over to the small group, wearing her signature plum purple kimono and holding the family sword in hand.

"Nodoka-sama!" Kodachi exclaimed, stepping up to the lady patriarch of the Saotome family. "Are you here to wish me good luck?"

"No, Shampoo gets good luck from Ranma's mother." Shampoo cut in before Kodachi could reach for her hand. Ukyo simply watched for a minute as the two began to fight once again over Nodoka, who moved out the way to now approach Ukyo herself.

"Kunoji-chan." the chef was surprised at this, but nodded her head in acknowledgment. "I just came over here to wish all you girls good luck in this competition."

Ukyo was not expecting her to actually say those words, but she greatly accepted them. "Th-thank you Saotome-sam-"

"And I'm sure you know that once the winner is spoken for, that you other girls will stop your pursuit for my son." Nodoka stood tall with authority, looking straight in her eyes before turning to Kodachi and Shampoo. They too took the blunt of Nodoka's glare, almost jolting themselves from their spots in a cold sweat. "Your little games of trying to win my son's affection will come to an end today once the winner is chosen. I would hate to get out ink and paper, but as young proper ladies I would hope you will have enough decency to follow through on this agreement." Nodoka looked back and forth at each girl, waiting patiently for some form of acknowledgement, and Ukyo took the first step.

"Yes, Saotome-sama, I understand the conditions of this fight, and if I'm not the winner of this match, then-" Ukyo swallowed, feeling her throat suddenly clench up. She steadied her breathing before continuing. "I will stop pursuing Ranchan from this day forth. And I will no longer be Ranchan's fiancee." Ukyo bowed her head towards Nodoka and walked off towards the back of the stage.

"What's wrong with me?" Ukyo had rushed off the stage so quickly, so shaken by her promise minutes ago. The chef groaned to herself, she must have looked so pathetic in front of Nodoka-sama, Shampoo and Kodachi were probably laughing at her sudden haste, but how could she stand there any longer? She counted to ten to regulate her breathing, being all in a panic was not good for competition.

"Hold on Akane, hold still."

Ukyo paused at hearing Ranchan in the back of the stage. What's he doing back here? With Akane no less-

"Ranma, please untie this blindhold-"

"I'm almost done, and ... there!" the chef stayed behind the curtain wall to listen on what could be shared between the two teens. "Ta-da! What do you think?"

There was silence, followed by a gasp.

"Oh Ranma, you-"

"Well, I thought you could use this instead of the old one you had at home..." Ukyo could hear Ranma's nervousness, and she was itching to look over.

"I love it, but you didn't have to give me a new one. I just burned the corner, and I'll just patch it up-"

"Yeah, well it's for, you know..." Ukyo heard him mumble something else, and it must have been something good because Akane gasped louder. A giggle came after and Ukyo couldn't wait anymore. Taking a step away from her hiding spot, she walked towards the two, showing off her best smile.

"Ah, Ranchan!" ... was what Ukyo would have say, but those words never came out from her lips.

Instead Ukyo stood still, staring at Akane wearing a bright yellow apron and her arms wrapped around Ranma's neck. Ranma wrapped his arms gently around her waist and gave her a soft squeeze.

"No, Ranma, stop- don't hug her. Let go of her."

Ukyo stood rooted, paralyzed at this sudden act of affection. The two held each other for a while, Ukyo almost growled at the seconds that past with the two still holding on to one another! Ukyo could feel her stomach flop when Ranma rubbed the back of her head, his fingers stroking some of her short strands. Why couldn't she speak up and break them apart?

"R-R-rrrr-Ra-"

"A kiss for good luck?" Akane asked sweetly.

Ranma blushed at her request, making Ukyo jolt from her spot. What did she said to make Ranma blush like that?!

"Ranchan!" The two teens broke apart quick at the approach of the "cute fiance".

"Airen!" Oh no, Shampoo too-

"Ranma-sama!"

"Are you serious?!" Ukyo hissed to herself, not believing her luck right now. She just wanted one minute with Ranma, was that so much to ask?! No, because she lived in Nerima, where craziness always followed Saotome Ranma.

Ranma and Akane gave each other one look before the two split from the oncoming lady brigade; Akane dashed back to her kitchen, and Ranma leaped up to the front stage where the judges sat.

"Ranchan?!"

"Airen?" the amazon stomped her foot and glared at Ukyo. "Look what ugly chef girl did!"

"Me?! Ranchan wouldn't have ran off if it wasn't for you two-" Ukyo bit her tongue, stopping her from saying anything else. "You know what, I will not waste my energy on the two of you," Ukyo jab a finger to both girls who looked appalled to be addressed as such. "who never had a chance with Ranchan to begin with!"

"Well!" Kodachi huffed sounding offended, while Shampoo growled in irritation. Ukyo decided now was a good time to ignore the two, and get the answers to her questions that have been buzzing in her head since she received the letter from Ranma. With purpose she stomped her way behind Akane's makeshift kitchenette and spotted her biggest rival of love, reading over her cookbook. Not that it would help her in the end.

Hearing the curtains behind her shift from movement, Akane turned her head around, surprised but not surprised to see Ukyo next to her refrigerator.

"Ukyo, what's wrong?"

"What was that all about earlier?" Ukyo scolded with her arms crossed. "Why were you getting all cozy with Ranchan?"

"I thanked him for the apron he gave me." Akane turned so Ukyo could see the bright yellow apron with white polka dots and a cute baby duck patch at the top left corner of the breast.

"Trying to earn brownie points before the contest even starts? Trying to mooch your way to the top and win huh?!" Ukyo scoffed at the thought. It's bad enough Akane couldn't make edible food, but seeing Akane give Ranchan a hug, and Ranchan responding positively before the match had Ukyo's temper set on high.

Akane closed her book and looked at Ukyo with a calm gaze, no frown or snooty turned up nose Ukyo was expecting.

"Ukyo, I want this competition to be the last we ever have to fight-"

"Then don't compete! Ranma may have a cast iron stomach but the slop you try to make called food, it's- it's just pointless to-"

"Aunty Saotome asked me to compete and I have accepted. I will not back down now." Akane crossed her arms this time, glaring back at Ukyo to say something else about quitting. Ukyo felt unnerved, looking back at Akane's firm glare but she would not back down either.

"You know your food makes better paint thinner, so why even try? It might as well be against the three of us instead of four." Ukyo knew she should just stop and save her energy, but her nerves were on high now with the match about to began. The very last one the girls will ever compete against one another for Ranma. For once, Akane appeared so calm in front of her. Like she had some secret weapon that would help her win. She couldn't have anything up her sleeve...

Could she?

"Looks you are going to have to wait and see during the competition." Akane shrugged then turned her back to Ukyo, checking on last minute supplies.

BING BONG! BING BONG!

"Attention contestants! Please return your assigned stations, I repeat, contestants please return to your stations." the announcer's voice called out from the megaphone at the center stage. Ukyo glared at Akane's back for another minute but left without another word.

"I don't know what she is up to, but I better be prepared for whatever trick she's gonna pull!" with a clearer head, Ukyo rushed to her kitchen to double check on her special ingredients for her signature dish.

"Ooo ho ho ho! I got a surprise for you Akane. Just you wait!"

XXxxxxxXX

"Come on Roga! Uchan's battle is starting and we are going to miss it!" Little Momo tugged the lost boy down the street, heading off to the high school where the showdown was to be happening. Despite the new change, Momo had not lost her sense of direction. The eager piglet child tried to run but Ryoga was taking his time walking alongside Takeru in stiff silence.

"Hang on Momo, we will get there in time." Ryoga smiled down at the little Ukyo look-alike trying to pull him faster down the street. With Ryoga's backpack snugged behind his back, Momo was having an even harder time pulling him. Ryoga was relieved to have Momo's eagerness, for it was the only thing he could relax to now walking alongside Ukyo's father. Ryoga was truly stuck on how to feel about Mister Kunoji. Between Ukyo's feelings and Takeru's sincere attempts to patch up whatever was left of his daughter's relationship- Poor lost boy was wedged in the middle!

When Ukyo left early for the competition that morning, she gathered her father and sleepy Momo to dumped them at Ryoga's house. That way the lost boy would not miss the competition. Or would not have to leave two days beforehand. Good thing she called him the night before he stepped out of his house.

The call about their appointment to arrive in the morning from the cook off was kept short, no small talk of the shop or how Ukyo and her father was bonding. Not even when Momo asked to speak.

Ryoga sighed loudly, feeling helpless about his and Ukyo's relationship now: an outsider would have called them good buddies, especially with how tomboyish Ukyo acts and dresses. The crazy events in the past few months they had seem to get them closer, an improvement in Ryoga's book. It looked like Ukyo enjoyed his company-the shouting, and hitting and even the name calling was normal between the two, but she came all the way to his house to talk about her situation about her father reappearing, even apologizing for kicking him out sooner than planned and feeding him-

Up to the point where Ryoga slipped up and kissed her.

Why? Why, oh why did he take advantage of her crying to just up and kiss her? A hug would have been much better than covering her lips with his own! Her big blue eyes were glossed with tears and it hurt to see a head strong girl like Ukyo reduced to tears. Using tears was not Ukyo's style like Kodachi or Shampoo, Ukyo was honest with telling him how she was feeling-and... and her lips were so soft-

"So Ryoga-"

Holy shit! Ryoga jumped out of his skin, he completely forgot about Takeru walking beside him! So preoccupied with Ukyo in his head- Ryoga needed to calm down before he said something stupid.

"Y-yes sir?" Ryoga smiled hard, trying to play off his little goof up.

Takeru looked at Ryoga's state, he could practically feel the waves of nerves bouncing off this unusual kid next to him. It's a shame his own daughter would not talk too much about her social life, only work and about the little shop that she has maintain so well. All by herself. The chef look at the giant pack on Ryoga's back. Look like he was preparing to leave after the competition. Maybe for a whole week judging from the smaller pockets being stuffed with supplies.

"Running off after the competition?" Takeru pointed with his nose at the pack behind Ryoga. He watched the young man break into a sweat, his shoulders drooped low now with the topic change.

"This is always a precaution in case I get lost." Ryoga, use to getting the weird looks from almost everyone he meets, Mr. Kunoji was no different.

"It happens every time you leave home?" Ryoga nodded, already feeling pathetic in front of Ukyo's dad.

"Just about... okay all the time! Look! I uh, have a bad sense of direction... it's almost bad that I can't get out of a house without walking into the broom closet three times. Even with given directions, I get all mixed up ... and ..." Ryoga could feel his depression rearing it's ugly head, knowing that Takeru was feeling sorry for him. He tried to look through his bushy bangs to see what-

"That's okay Roga, because Roga gots Momo and Ucchan to help him out!" Momo jumped up into Ryoga's space, smiling proudly. Ryoga had quickly caught the little bouncing girl, and now in his arms he slowly felt better. Momo was right: she always was trying her best and would always steer him the right way. She never laughed at him about his bad sense of direction and was always happy in his company. He was gifted with her power hugs and Ryoga gently held her in one arm.

Takeru took this all in stride, watching how caring Ryoga treated this orphaned girl, who still looked exactly like Ukyo when she was this small. It was something the older man wished he could go back in time and have with his only girl. Ukyo was all he had besides his business, and he wanted to do whatever it took to win his daughter's respect and love. One step at a time, he knew this would take longer than he had time for, but if it meant going cross country with his business then so be it.

He had to put his daughter's well being before his own, and that also meant who was part of her everyday life.

"Looky! Looky! We're here!" Momo wiggled out of Ryoga's arm and quickly tugged him forward through the gates. "Come on! We are going to miss Ucchan fight! I don't want to miss one second!" the little girl demanded, while Ryoga let her pull him towards the back where the contest was set. Takeru watch the two pick up the pace to get good seats, but little Momo looked back to see him so far behind. "Hurry up Ucchan dad! We are late!" she frown at him, hoping he would walk faster.

Takeru blinked, it was like looking at his little Ukyo again, back when they traveled together. Blinking back tears he walked faster so the little one would not start whining.

No matter what, he would work hard to win back his daughter's respect and love if it was the last thing he did.

XXxxxxxXX

"Welcome ladies and gents! It's time to get ready for first ever Grand Food Martial Arts Rush!" the audience applauded and cheered, truly excited to witness another crazy competition between the Saotome fiancees. "First off, let's big a big round of applause for the lovely contestants here who will be cooking their best dishes for our judges today." The four girls waved at the crowd, who were hyped for the crazy battle today. "Now we have a few rules to point out before we begin, and I'll hand it over to our main judge of this contest, Mrs. Saotome!" Nodoka smiled big with a wave to the crowd, wearing a new kimono today for the occasion, a jade green outlined with gold and black trimmings and patterns tied with a black obi.

"Welcome everybody, and to our ladies competing today, we must let you know about how the competition will go from here: As they already know the competitors have chosen the meals for breakfast, lunch, appetizers, dinner and dessert. They also know they have the option to have two helpers in their kitchen." Murmurs went through the crowd, mostly because of Akane's corner having her chosen helpers. Sayuri and Yura wore blank white aprons and Akane sporting her new yellow apron, and she gave it a quick tug out of nerves. Her two friends gave her a supportive pat on her back to help relieve her jitters. "Each team has exactly one hour to have their meals ready and presentable for the judges."

Kasumi stood up from her seat, and even she wore a pretty kimono today: royal blue with white and gold linear designs and floral patterns. Even her usual braid was pinned up with a red flower. Taking the mic from Nodoka, Kasumi smiled politely to the ladies on stage. "All kitchen should have the basic kitchenware and utensils needed to make your selected dishes, and you should have the right amount of ingredients. If needing more, please ask one of the assistants stationed behind your kitchen. Under any circumstance should the competitors cross into the others kitchen, for it will be immediate disqualification. Are we clear on the rules?" Each girl gave their nod of approval before Kasumi handed over the mic to Ranma, the last judge of the contest.

The Saotome heir took a deep breath, before standing up to face the now eager girls. "I only have one thing to say, no explosives-" he pointed a finger at Ukyo," no Chinese spells-" he pointed at Shampoo, " and especially no floral poisoning in the food!" he shouted this out so everybody on the school grounds would hear. The girls pointed out blushed in embarrassment, having been called out on their past cooking disasters, especially during the ruined wedding.

"How much you wanna bet those three will still do it?"

"Definitely Shampoo and her Chinese voodoo."

"Whose voting for Ukyo?"

"I got fifty bucks on Kodachi."

The three extra fiancees huffed in anger, hearing the new betting pool before them.

"If nothing else, let's start with the first course: breakfast! HAJIME!" Nodoka smacked the gong, signaling the start of the contest!

All four cooks dispersed in a flurry, scrambling to get their meals started.

"Mousse! Grab the wheat noddles! Shampoo prepare tofu pudding!" Shampoo had only Mousse as a helper, and the coke bottled klutz was in her way most of the time. She wanted to prepare the dishes all by herself, but Cologne had advised her to have Mousse be her helper for he knew how to make all the dishes on Shampoo's list. The amazon had to grin and bare with the blind goose boy until the dessert. She would need no help for the last one.

Kodachi twisted and twirled in her kitchen, having total command while preparing her crust and filing. While her stove top blazed underneath her kettle for tea, her skillet was just the right temperature for her beaten eggs. She hummed like she was back in her own kitchen at home. Sadly the kitchen appliances here were a downgrade to the state of the art kitchen back home, but the gymnast proceeded on with her breakfast preparations, the timer now set for her main dish to bake.

Ukyo had laid out her ingredients for her fluffy pancakes before proceeding to get her skillet ready for both pancakes and omelets. Making the right measurements for three, the rice cooker was switched on to begin the cooking process. She had this, no problem! She has made plates of food in less time than the hour given to them now, so she had nothing to worry about-

"Akane be careful!"

Ukyo peaked over to Akane's corner, seeing the youngest Tendo blowing away the large flame from the skillet. Ukyo wanted to laugh, but she must get done with her preparations first. She had less than thirty minutes left and already was preparing her first plate of pancakes, and at this point Ukyo began to hum to herself, really enjoying her time now.

"I got this. Those girls can't beat me in my element!"

"Ten minutes remaining on the clock!" Nodoka called out, and the ladies began to scurry faster, garnishing their plates for the judges and making any last minute decisions.

"Akane, what about the kabocha?"

"Take it off the skillet. They should be ready to be on their plate." Akane had some bangs slip from her yellow bandana, and sweat shining on her forehead but her breakfast plates were halfway done. Ukyo huffed to herself, pouring warm maple syrup into three small metal pitchers for the three judges. Akane looks like she is really trying, and so far nothing has burned down in her kitchen-

POOF!

Ukyo thought too soon. Poor Akane, watching Sayuri remove the flaming skillet while Yuka rushed in blowing the fire extinguisher onto the big flames. Shampoo shook her head in false sympathy and Kodachi snickered behind her hand.

"The kabocha is burnt! Akane, what are we do?"

"Get everything on the plates. I'll take care of the kabocha!" Akane grabbed another winter squash from the fridge and proceeded to prepare the small side dish, and Sayuri and Yuka got to work assembling the breakfast plates.

"Exactly ONE minute on the clock!" Ukyo sighed again, removing her three hotcakes off the grill and sliding them onto their plates, and quickly adding in the small cuts of tamagoyaki on their separate plates alongside the hotcakes, two cuts for each judge.

"TEN seconds on the clock!" The announcer called, making the girls pick up their pace. Kodachi chuckled to herself, already placing her fresh made jams next to her breakfast breads. Tea was served as well, small cups for small tasting.

"Five, four, three, two one-"

"TIME! Step away from your dishes!" the female student announcer shouted, calling round one to a close.

Sayuri and Yuka sagged against each other, relived of the first round to be over. Akane looked down at her three trays, all was where they needed to be, just in the nick of time. Even the kabocha salad she added was complete.

"Alright now! This is how the order will go: Each team has a color to represent them; Yellow, Blue, Green and Red. One by one, the teams will show off their dishes, and the audience will decide which dish should be eaten first!" Excitement grew audible across the stands, the vibes practically engulfed the whole field!

"Team Red! Present your dish!" Shampoo gave a cute smile for the crowd before unveiling her breakfast dish: "Shampoo make home-style congee, deep fried dough sticks with a side soy milk to dip!" The rice porridge sat in a small soup bowl along side an even smaller size bowl housing the soy milk, that bowl sat in the corner while a thin rectangular shaped plate held two sticks of the fried dough. Some of the crowd looked interested to try out Shampoo's cooking, mostly boys.

"Team Green! Present your dish!" Kodachi giggled before revealing her breakfast dish: "A good morning start with a well balanced meal: A fluffy cheese omelette with my family's recipe for jam to go with the croissant! A small assortment of fruits to complete the meal!~" Despite the past meals Kodachi has cooked up, this meal looked delicious, and she promised to behave and not add any herbal powders that did not belong in food-

"Team Blue! Present your dish!" Ukyo smiled big before removing the cover over her chosen breakfast: "Pancake with warm maple syrup and tamagoyaki cuts!" The giant pancake was dusted with a little bit of powder sugar and a small square of butter. On the side were two cube cuts of a Japanese style omelette.

"Team Yellow! Present your dish!" The whole crowd was silent, practically everyone was silent, only the soft breeze that past through. Akane could hear her heart thumb loudly inside her head, a flush spread throughout her whole face. The youngest Tendo looked like a wreck; strands of hair had left the hold of her yellow bandana and her new apron looked scorched at the bottom. "Just pull the cover off! They have to see it sooner or later! Here I go!" with a quick pull, the Tendo's breakfast dish was now for everyone to see: Steamed cooked rice, miso soup on the side, grilled salmon as the main meat with kobacha diced on top of a spinach salad and a few cubes of fried tamago cuts. "Tendo homestyle breakfast."

Murmurs spread through the crowd, the majority in complete awe about Akane's meal.

"Hey that looks good!"

"It's a shame I'm not a judge..."

"Did Akane make that? I'm getting hungry."

Akane could hear some of the fast talking down in the crowd, and the good responses put the youngest Tendo in high spirits. She felt two pats on her shoulders, knowing it was her two best friends and she could finally smile.

"Ladies, all these meals look tasty, but we must leave the vote to the audience." the female announcer then waved off to the crowd, giving them their chance. "Alright folks, what meal should the judges eat first?" A flood of yellow flags waved in the air, the audience growing excited to hear the result from Akane's team. There were some blue mixed with green and one or two red. Shampoo huffed in annoyance from the vote with a stomp of her foot, Kodachi waved it off like it was nothing. Ukyo felt disappointed but she shrugged it off like it was nothing to worry about, for it was only round one. She could wow the crowd in the later courses.

"Team Yellow wins the audience's vote by a landslide, but will they win the judges vote too?" the three ladies brought their meals up to the judges and waited on the side for their response.

"Mmm, ladies, the meal looks delicious!" Kasumi beamed proudly to her baby sister, and Akane flushed with embarrassment.

"Yes, I agree whole-heartily!" Nodoka smiled, very excited to try Akane's breakfast. Ranma looked indifferent, poking and prodding the fish and salad.

"Hmm, nothing looks rocks hard, yet." Akane's body twitched to make a comment back, but instead huffed to the side.

The other three girls stood anxiously in their kitchen, waiting for the sick gagging or bad review for Akane to come. The stage was silent save for the moving of chopsticks and spoons now eating Akane's breakfast,... not one groan of displeasure was made, even Ranma continued to eat. At last the plates were cleared, yes cleared! The audience were flabbergasted! Their plates had not one grain of rice left! No one looked sick or ready to pass out from Akane's meal. Nodoka took the mic and stood up from her seat.

"Breakfast meal was delicious!" Eeeeh?! Akane's meal was edible?! " The salmon was cooked just right, not over or under just right! Rice was moist, the eggs were fluffy, and even the salad was tasty!" Sayuri and Yuka cheered on the side for Akane, who stood relieved with Nodoka's praise. "However," the crowd gasped, what happened? Akane stood stiff. What did she prepare wrong? "The miso was too salty. Be careful when preparing the soup, and how much miso you add." Nodoka smiled at Akane before handing over the mic to Kasumi.

"I second with Nodoka-sama. The meal was very delicious! Your preparation for this dish was spot on, and yes the miso was more saltier than usual but if you just adjust the amount of miso you will be good! I really like the kabocha salad!" Akane blushed harder from her older sister's comments, overjoyed to hear how she feels about her cooking, and in front of everyone here too-

"Not bad. The rice did not break my teeth this time. Thanks for the meal Akane." Ranma nodded slightly to Akane before slurping some tea. The tomboy huffed while the crowd laughed at his comment.

"Well, what do we have to say about Akane-chan's meal?" the three looked at one another before voting. Nodoka and Kasumi both smiled and Ranma looked up at Akane with a nod of approval. "Looks like Team Yellow passes the breakfast round!" The crowd cheered for Akane, and Sayuri and Yuka congratulated her back in their kitchen.

"See?! What did I tell you?"

"We did it Akane!"

"Thanks you two!" Akane sagged against the counter, relieved and so elated!

"Next up, Team Blue!" Ukyo walked over to set down the three trays in front of the judges. No comments were made and the judges began to eat. Ukyo was a little put off from no comments of the presentation, but Ukyo kept that to herself waiting for the food to speak for itself.

And the judges were pleased!

"Mmm! Ukyo! The pancake and the eggs were moist and spongy! Delicious!" Kasumi smiled before cutting another piece. Nodoka smiled, agreeing as well. Ranma eagerly chowed down on the pancake and eggs. "Mmm, Umai! Taste great Ucchan!" Ukyo beamed with joy from the praise, feeling good about her meal.

"What do our judges say about Blue team?" With a shared glance at one another, the three judges gave their nod of approval. "Congrats to the Blue team! They passed the breakfast round!" A round of applause for Ukyo as she returned to her kitchen.

"Yay UCCHAN!" One cheer in particular shouted louder than the rest. Ukyo looked down at the front row and saw little Momo, her father and Ryoga who had the little look-alike in his lap. Her bright smile made Ukyo waved down at her.

"Next up, Team Green!"

"OHOHOHO! Enjoy my culinary work!" Kodachi brought up her breakfast dish and stood proudly, waiting for her praise. The sweet aroma of cheese wafted to the judges noses as the omelettes were presented alongside the fresh flaky croissant.

"The croissant is light and fluffy just like your omelette. Very nicely done!" Nodoka commented, Kasumi nodding in agreement.

"I've never had cheese inside my omelette before, and this is surprisingly delicious!" Kasumi added in her thoughts and Kodachi purred, but her eyes were hooked on Ramna's plate.

"Hmm, this omelette is good and so is the bread." Ranma continued to finish his plate saying nothing else. Kodachi was a little put off from not enough praise from her meal, but at long as they approved her of this match, that was all that mattered.

"Lastly, Team Red!" Shampoo hummed while balancing their trays in her hands and on top of her head, presenting again the breakfast meal she worked on. As the judges began to eat, Kasumi stopped after the first bite.

"Your congee taste sweeter than congee is usually prepared. What is this sweet taste?"

"Shampoo used sweet potato instead of original recipe. Much better for sweeter taste." Kasumi and Nodoka nodded to each other in approval before finishing their congee. Ranma picked at the fried dough, but tried it with the soy milk. He savored the flavors in his mouth, but decided they were okay.

"Not bad. The doughnuts are plain but the soymilk helps a bit. Thank you." Shampoo smiled big from Ranma's words, happy to be in the judges favor.

"With that ladies and gentlemen, we will take a short break for the cooks to have something to eat before the lunch round is prepared."

"Ramen for sale! 400 yen for ramen! 200 for two pork dumblings!" Mousse soon comes around the front of the stage to present a wagon with Cologne sitting at the front. Mousse rings a bell, and students begin to flock the cart for food. Lunchtime will be coming around the corner, and the contestants fridges were quickly restocked with their chosen ingredients for the lunch course.

"Oh, and I could be selling some okonomiyaki right about now. Wait- I can call Konatsu! Maybe he can get some sales in before the next course!" Ukyo took the opportunity to find a phone to call her employee to help her out. Takeru watched as his daughter ran off back stage, then he looked to the big stand housing the Nekohaten food.

"Everything alright Kunoji-sama?" Ryoga asked at his side, and the older chef waved him off.

"I was just thinking of something. Something that might be a use for Ukyo. It might not be much, but I want to help her." he pulled out from his small bag the family cookbook. Momo sat closer to look at the worn blue and yellow cover and ragged old pages.

"Ucchan dad, what is this?" Takeru smiled at the curious Momo.

"This is a cookbook, past down from my great-grandmother, and now this is Ukyo's too. A book full of traditional foods, with secrets and tips into making the perfect okonomiyaki everytime! I look through it sometimes to give myself a reminder of what I might have missed in a recipe. Even professionals like myself and Ukyo can make a mistake." Momo patted the pictures every time Takeru flipped through the worn pages.

"Whoa! These pictures look so good! I bet Ucchan could make these easily, and they would tastes even better!"

"Hmm, good luck that would do mini Ukyo." a snide remark appeared in the middle of the group, with a bowl of ramen presented before Momo's face.

"Ramen!" Momo went to reach the bowl but Ryoga pulled her back to his lap.

"Mousse, what was that remark all about?" he frowned at the blind martial artist. At times he and Mousse would be able to work together in getting themselves out of certain situations, but as of now they were on opposing teams, cheering on their favored girls. Well, Ryoga wanted to cheered both Akane and Ukyo on so he was already in a tight spot.

"We already know that Shampoo is by far more superior in the culinary arts. She has been trained at a very young age. Shampoo's cooking makes the heart sing." Mousse stuck his nose high in the air with pride for his favorite girl.

"Even though you know Shampoo would only be cooking for Ranma if she wins this?" Ryoga crossed his arms. A blood vessel appeared on his forehead but it quickly disappeared.

"You're wrong! Ucchan's a much better cook than that purple shameless who-" Ryoga slapped Momo's mouth closed before anymore colorful words flew out.

"What did the brat say?!"

"Mousse! Come back here and deliver meals!" Colonge's crackling voice screeched for her helper. Mousse handed the small group two more bowls before leaving. Ryoga relaxed, removing his hand from Momo's mouth.

"Roga! What was his problem with Ucchan?"

"You don't need to be getting yourself into trouble with them anymore than you already are! Let it go Momo." Ryoga held up chopsticks with piping hot noodles for her. "Here you go." Momo was over her conflicted feelings and ate the offered food.

"Hmmm, and I wonder where she learned all of that?" Takeru looked directly to a now sweating Ryoga while slurping some hot noodles.

"It was not me sir! I had nothing to do with that!" Ryoga was already on the suspicious list with Ukyo's father, he did not need to give him anymore reason to dislike him more. At that moment, Ukyo returned from the back to her kitchen, but she looked disappointed than before. Momo noticed too after chewing on her hard boiled egg.

"What's wrong with Ucchan?" Ryoga shook his head to her question, for he was clueless to her new dilemma.

"Hmmmm," Takeru swallowed the last of the broth down while looking at the family cookbook. A genius thought came to mind, but he could not do it alone. "Hey you two, I got an idea, and I'm going to need your help."

XXxxxxxXX

"And now, ladies and gents! Welcome back to the Grand Food Martial Arts Rush! We hoped you enjoyed the breakfast round, but now we move onto the lunch round!" The audience cheered for the food match was about to commence again. "Now we all had seen some surprises in the last round, but don't get too comfortable because now this match is going to be a little spicy this time!" the female announcer pointed to Akane's kitchen, and sitting on the counter was a silver dish cover. "Here we have this dish cover, underneath is a secret ingredient. You may not reveal what's underneath until told otherwise. This round, you will only have fifteen minutes to prepared one plate for the judges. Let's see how this round turns. Contestants, to your stations!"

Ukyo was still sulking about the missed opportunity, but she smacked her cheeks a few times. This was no time to be worrying about money. She had one shot at this match, she could not screw it up.

"Here we have a new judge replacing Kasumi-san; Genma Saotome." said man rubbed his head sheepishly although the crowd was worried about the new change ups.

"Remember, only one lunch dish and only fifteen minutes. You can reveal your covers in three, two, ONE!" the gong was bashed and the teams revealed their secret ingredients:

"Eh?! Peppers?!"

"What is this? I don't need shrimp!"

"Why is there broccoli in my kitchen?"

"Squid does not belong in Shampoo's meal!"

Each girl looked down at the mystery food item sitting on their counter top. The crowd whispered amongst themselves wondering what the commotion was about between the lady contestants.

"Oho! Noticed the situation girls?! If yes, then why don't you look at the other contestants stations." Ukyo turned to the yellow kitchen on her right to see Akane's mystery ingredient, but she did not need the green bowl of peppers for her lunch meal. Akane was off the hook, for now. Ukyo turned to her left to look into the red kitchen to see-

"My squid!" Ukyo pointed at the missing key ingredient for her lunch, and Shampoo could not stop the smirk from forming as she pawed at the fresh seafood in their blue bowl like a cat with the fat canary.

"Tendo Akane-relinquish my peppers at once! Ranma is awaiting my lunch course!" a yellow ribbon appeared and snapped, the gymnast ready for battle.

"Shampoo wants her broccoli to cook for Airen too!" the amazon hissed seeing her precious broccoli in the green kitchen's countertop.

Ukyo looked back and forth between the kitchens to see who had whose:

Akane had Kodachi's peppers.

Kodachi had Shampoo's broccoli.

Shampoo had her precious squid-

That only left the youngest Tendo girl. Ukyo looked at the medium size of grey tiger prawns sitting innocently in a yellow bowl. Ukyo could see Akane spot her missing bowl on top of the blue kitchen's counter before meeting the chef's face. Ukyo gently held the bowl down to see the contents better, but was only taunting the bluenette for only a few minutes.

"I don't know Akane, I just might need some tiger prawns for my dish after all..." Akane's back went rigid, fist were clutched tight. She didn't however make any comment back.

"Now ladies, you are probably wondering how to get your ingredients back, well you will have figure that out while still needing to cook your designated meal before the clock runs out. Fifteen minutes and no more! Ready?!"

"Great! How can I get my squid back from the hussy from China?!" Ukyo hissed towards Shampoo who scolded back. Ukyo did not want to go down one path in particular, but had to prepare dish if she was to get done on time. What was she kidding? She could cook her lunch dish five times faster than the time given to her. She had to be calm in order to get the leg up on her challengers. Akane was bound to loose eventually, the breakfast round was a lucky shot after all.

"Three! Two! One-HAJIME!" the bell sounded signally the start of the lunch round. Quick as a flash Ukyo striped Akane down first!

"Yaki rubber restraint whip!" Ukyo pulled her noodle rope from her back satchel and lassoed the green bowl from the yellow kitchen, Kodachi's ingredient safe in the blue kitchen.

"Whoa ho! Ukyo strikes first! Now what does she have planned?"

"Akane what do we do now?" Yuka started panicking now that they had no special ingredient on their side.

"Never mind that. Just keep preparing the other steps. I'm getting the tiger prawns back!" Akane just had to wait until it was the right time to strike, and she would be waiting.

"Alright Kodachi- you want your peppers, well I got them here." Kodachi huffed in irritation seeing the cook from the slums with her important pepper.

"Shampoo surprised. Ukyo not want her squid back?"

"Oh I'll get them back, because Kodachi will get them back for me!" Ukyo kept the bowl of peppers clutched to her side before rushing off to her refrigerator to collect her ingredients for lunch.

Kodachi chuckled at the cook's tenacity, and this time she could help the pauper out with this sudden teamwork. Just this once. "Very well, I can assist in this trade off!" Kodachi whipped out her yellow gymnast ribbon, poised as always and she went for the strike- only to have Shampoo ready with a few chopsticks pinning down the string to the floor.

"Shampoo busy! Can't be bothered by dead flower while cooking, or Airen will not enjoy good food!" Shampoo hissed at the gymnast before going back to preparing her dish without her broccoli. The meat would take a while to cook so she prepared the beef, and while the meat was sizzling she ran to her fridge for more eggs for her egg drop soup.

SNAP!

"Ha ha! Silly harlot! Now with this squid here-aah!" Kodachi exclaimed seeing that the bowl she grabbed was in fact blue, but inside was fruit instead of squid.

"Shampoo not stupid as to leave her bait unwatch-"

"Yaki reinforcement restraint!" Ukyo leaped over Shampoo's head while her yabisoba tangled up the amazon. She wiggled and hissed, trying to escape from the surprisingly sticky noodles. "Not getting out of this one Shampoo!" Ukyo snatched up her bowl of squid, and just when she was ready to throw over the bowl of peppers- an invisible presence swept by Ukyo's side and the bowl vanished from her hand!

"What?!" Ukyo did a double take at her hand now no longer holding the bowl of peppers promised for Kodachi-

"Alright girls-got the prawns! Lets add them in the mixture!" Akane gave off the bowl to Sayuri before facing Ukyo's surprised face, with a green bowl of peppers in her hand. "Looking for these?" The crowd cheered for Akane's sneaky attack, now in the lead of the rest.

"Go Team Yellow!"

Ukyo growled at the attention Akane was getting, but shook it off now that the peppers were out of her hands. "Sorry Kodachi, can't help you now. Gotta dish to cook!" Ukyo pranced back to her stove to begin her lunch.

"You crook! You promised me my peppers! I will deal with you Tendo later." Kodachi groaned before zipping around her kitchen, ingredients all prepared for her meal. Mixing half ingredients to create her dough, she flattened it out to be 12 inches round, then taking the second half of her cheese mixture to spread the filling on top.

"Sasuke! My peppers!"

"Here Kodachi-sama!"

"Akane, Kodachi got back her peppers!"

"Let her, we are almost done cooking here!" Akane was staying focused on her main omelette. Checking her wristwatch, she then turned the fluffy egg over. "Get the tray and plate ready!"

"Five minutes left on the clock ladies!"

"MOUSSE! Get my broccoli back!"

"Yes Shampoo!" Mousse pounces over to Kodachi's side but Sasuke was there to intercept. Mousse surprised the rabbit ninja quick with firecracker and confetti before wrapping him up in ribbons. Seizing his chance he sized up the crazy gymnast, now holding the red bowl of broccoli.

"Can you get passed the Black Rose?"

"For Shampoo, anything!" Immediately Kodachi attacked with a spinning ribbon, but got sliced by claws hidden in his sleeves. Bringing out a sledgehammer from his robes he slammed down up top Kodachi's counter top.

"Shampoo!" Snatching up the bowl Mousse tossed it over before Kodachi slammed her wooden mallet up top his head.

"Incompetent vermin! You almost crushed my oven and lunch for my Ranma!" Kodachi hissed, then growled when Shampoo waved happily now stir frying the cut broccoli.

"Ten seconds left on the clock! Nine, eight, seven," the crowd counted down alongside the announcer until, "TIME! Step away from your plates! Time to present your dishes! First to present, Red Team!"

Shampoo huffed before pulling up her tray cover: Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry with Egg Drop Soup.

"This time we will have the judges taste each dish called up! Shampoo, your dish please!" Shampoo placed her meal in front of the judges and Genma grabbed the first bite.

"Beef is very tender. Mmmm, delicious." Nodoka takes the next bite, but not before Ranma swipes it from her chopsticks and eats it.

"Ranma!"

"Testing for any spells."

Shampoo huffed, pouted that her Airen did not trust her. Genma slurped down the egg drop soup before the other two could and Shampoo groaned from her future father-in-law. If she won she had to appease the in laws too.

"Next up, Kodachi!"

"Ohohohohoho! Please enjoy my tasty tarte flambée!" Kodachi removed her cover to reveal a few rectangular slices of an Alsatian Bacon and Onion Tart. Genma grabbed first dips, humming from the thick crunch of the crust and strong cheese.

"Umai! Delicious!" Genma got his hand slapped before he could take another piece. Nodoka takes a small bite, hums from the flavor and takes another.

"It's good, however it needs more time to cook." Ranma took the last slice in two bites, chewed for a bit before nodding his approval. Kodachi laughed with glee while walking back into her kitchen.

"Team Blue, your next!" Ukyo walked proudly serving her best for lunch: squid okonomiyaki!

"Enjoy Ranchan!"

"Thanks Ukyo." That response stung a bit. Wy was he not calling her by her nickname? This was the second time. The cook shook it off to think later as she watched Ranma cut half of the pancake to bite into. "Umai! Always good Ukyo."

Ukyo smile was hesitant, not hearing her nickname again. Her victory felt soiled, her spirits dampened. Returning to her kitchen she sighed sadly, feeling the fight start to leave her system.

"Lastly, Team Yellow!" The audience went dead silent, awaiting Akane's dish. The youngest Tendo walked calmly presenting her dish.

"Shrimp omelet over rice." The crowd oohed in surprise of the packed egg dish. Some of the rice and shrimp dripped from the top, but the smell did get Ranma's stomach growling. "E-enjoy."

The family of three looked to one another before Nodoka took her fork and cut into the steamy egg and rice. Nodoka took a minute to chew before smiling. "Your rice has made a grand improvement. Cooked fully through." Akane sagged in relief and Genma took the next big bite. He hummed with pleasure.

"For a second I thought Kasumi did the cooking!" he coughed when Ranma elbowed his father. Ranma took the last bit of the rice and egg, then nodded his approval.

"Egg is a little runny, but I like it like that." Ranma gave a gentle smile that Akane soaked up instantly!

"Whoa, look at those two! Getting lovely dovey at the judges table~" Immediately hearing some of the comments the two teens looked away with pink dusted on their cheeks.

Returning to her kitchen, Akane did her best to ignore the burning sensation stabbing her back from the other contestants.

"With lunch course completed, I'd say we should go about with the votes. How about the Red Team?" the crowd cheered for Shampoo as she waved back. Three yeses from the judges. Same for green, blue and yellow.

"We will take a short break to get the kitchens prepared for the dinner course!"

"Ramen! Ramen for 500 yen!" Cologne shouted to the crowd, a large ramen cart pushed by Mousse. Immediately a sizable crowd rushed out their seats to get a bowl-

"Okonomiyaki! Okonomiyaki for sale! Two for 600 yen!" Takeru pulled up his very large grill cart, polished and restored, with Momo hopping around with small flyers.

"Come eat at Ucchan's! Come eat at Ucchan's!" her bright smile was infectious that most of the crowd moved over towards Takeru's cart.

"Ucchan! Ucchan! We make money while you compete!" the little look alike hopped in front of Ukyo's kitchen wearing a familiar chef's attire, but bright orange and red accents. "Gambatte! Ucchan!" Momo's smile helped Ukyo feel a bit better, also knowing her little mascot was bringing in customers. She could not feel down, not when the contest was coming to an end!

"Yes!"

XXxxxxxXX

XXxxxxxXX

"The dinner course is underway! Less than thirty minutes and all four teams are dishing out their best moves! Remember, only one dish for the judges!" The female student announced, growing excited with the four women busy in their kitchens.

"Akane, the rice is cooking."

"Prepare the chosen fish. We must shave their scales." Akane's two workers scurried to gather the fish and wash them.

Ukyo prefer making all her dishes from scratch, but when time was not on her side she would have to make due with the shortcut routine. Prepackaged inariage was quickly squeezed before placed on the side. The chef glanced over at the yellow kitchen, watching Akane swiftly keep her station in order. Where was the timid but angry Tendo she knew? Where was the screaming and yelling, and clumsiness?! Was this a different Akane?

"Boiling over pot in the Blue kitchen!"

Ukyo snapped away to quickly turn off her stove. How could she have daydreamed while cooking? It was not like her at all! The udon was overcooked!

CRASH!

The chef jumped, now seeing her side ingredients all over the floor with a shatter plate.

"Looks like Blue kitchen is falling behind on their dish, and the clock is ticking down! Ten more minutes!"

What was wrong with her?! Ukyo was losing herself bad! What happened to her plan of demolishing her competition?! This was cooking, her expertise! She was slipping fast, and with the audience waiting for her next move the pressure was packing down on her shoulders-

"Ukyo!"

The chef looked up to see another body sweeping up the mess.

"I'll set up the udon to boil! Get the other ingredients chopped and ready!"

"Ryoga?" Ukyo was shocked to see him there, coming to her aid.

"Hayaku!" The lost boy yelled before grabbing the missing food items. That made Ukyo snap to attention. She could not be doubting herself now! This was her craft-She had to win this!

"Lost boy can't jump into competition!" Shampoo hissed out loud, almost dropping her steak back on the skillet.

"Tell that cheating chef to leave! Don't break the rules!" Kodachi shrieked, pointing her finger at Ukyo's kitchen.

"An assistant to jump into the competition?" the female announcer questioned the side judges.

"VALID! Chefs are allowed up to two helpers in the kitchen." the amazon grumbled while the crowd cheered for the new changeup!

"Gambatte Roga! Ucchan!" Momo shouted from the crowd, bouncing on Takeru's lap. Ukyo felt a little boost from the cheering and together Ryoga and Ukyo chopped, sliced, boiled and decorated their chosen dish, just in the nick of time. The gong sounds, ringing the end.

"Dinner course over!" The contestants sagged in relief. No surprises this round, but they held their breath on it. Who knows what curveball would be thrown at them next.

Ryoga swiped his brow of sweat, fanning himself from the heat. Ukyo was no better, but with a quick adjustment to her outfit she was ready to present.

"Here. Stay hydrated." A cold water bottle was given before Ryoga left the kitchen.

"Wait." The lost boy looked back at Ukyo staring hard at the bottle. "Thank you."

"Knock them dead with your gift Ukyo."

The chef flushed pink from the comment as Ryoga walked back to his seat, Momo immediately jumping into his lap. She gripped the bottle strongly before drinking down the content.

"Yosh! I got this! I can do this!"

"Alright, all four ladies have created their dish, but here is the twist! Audience! You will be judging once more!" The crowd grew excited from the news. "The test is the presentation! Does the meal look appetizing to eat? By the audience's judgment will determine if the judges will eat the dish. Are we ready?" The student body and fans were thrilled with the new twist, and only screamed louder of their approval.

"First up, team Green!"

Kodachi sashayed her way to the table and with a smile revealed her chosen meal: "Honey Glazed Pork with Mushroom Risotto." The groans from the audience grew from the steam flowing towards their nostrils. Ryoga covered Momo's ears so as to not hear they were eating her own kind.

"The glaze is dripping off the hot meat!"

"I can smell the pork from here!"

"My mouth is watering!"

"My, that does that look appealing! Judges?" Genma salivated from the steaming meat, but Nodoka slapped his hand away from touching. All three agreed to the neat presentation: The pork was cut in even slices, garnished with the right herbs and the mushroom risotto was helping decorate the whole dinner image of French cuisine.

"A pass for the Green Team?" A sea of green flags shot to the air in full agreement. "Enjoy judges!" Genma once again takes the first bite, ripping off a thick slice from the pork while Nodoka takes a swipe out from the risotto.

"Moist rice, and mushrooms taste delicious." Nodoka commented.

"Juicy meat, cooked to perfection!"

Ranma looked over the eaten dish before sighing and taking a taste of the pork. "Tender and juicy."

"And that's a pass for the Green Team! Taste and Presentation is good!"

"Ooohohohoohoho! No doubt in my mind." Kodachi walked with confidence back into her kitchen. While the next kitchen was called, Kodachi slipped back to see Sasuke at the drape as assigned. "Did you do as you were commanded?"

"Hai, the task is complete."

"AAIIIYAAAAAHHH!" Shampoo exclaimed, seeing her Steak and Asparagus Dinner with Chow Mein topped with a mountain of chili pepper and seaweed powder.

"Well, um, this is a funky new way of garnishing a plate. Um, audience?" the female announcer sweat-dropped at the presentation.

"What is it?"

"I can't tell from the giant pile of red and green powder. Must be a Chinese spell gone wrong."

"Well, it's not flavored ice so I wouldn't eat."

Shampoo trembled from the comments from the crowd, but before she could speak or do anything the judges spoke.

"I'm sure this was a small flop in the kitchen. No need to be disheartened from this. Accidents do happen Miss Shampoo."

"Shampoo would not make such a klutzy move- this is level one mess up! A grade fitting for a level one cook like Tendo Akane!" the amazon hissed at the youngest Tendo.

"Before you start making assumptions, I did nothing to your dish!" Akane barked back, grimacing from the sudden attention.

"Well, Shampoo can't wait to see clumsy Akane's creation!" the amazon stomped her foot before snatching up her ruined dish.

"Well, let's not avoid the inevitable. Team Yellow to the judges table!" the announcer pointed to the youngest Tendo.

The audience was silent once again, watching with bated breath as Akane walked calmly to the judges' table. So far Akane has pulled her weight throughout the whole competition, everyone was waiting for the other shoe to drop! She gulped before removing the cover, and the dish shined brightly!

"What's this light?" The audience was quick to panic, but it died away when the dish could be seen.

"Kaisendo?" Nodoka looked surprised.

"It looks like jewels!" Genma gawked at the perfectly made bowl, consisting of sashimi slices of salmon, red meat tuna, yellowtail, squid, sweet shrimp and salmon roe. Complete with the soy sauce and wasabi.

"Whoa, she made that?"

"It looks too good to eat!"

"I'm getting hungry here!"

The other lady contestants could not believe it either. The dish had clean slices of fish up top and decorated with a gentle hand, which Akane was not known for!

Ranma quickly took the soy sauce and wasabi, mixed them and poured a bit into the bowl. Taking his spoon he scooped up the first bite-

"Umai! Umai!"

"Eeeeeeeehhhhh?!" the crowd shrieked in surprise. Three dishes a great success?!

"Yatta! Great job Akane!"

"You did it Akane!" Yuka and Sayuri cheered from the yellow kitchen. Ranma scooped up another bite, savoring the fish and rice bowl. He was humming from the meaty taste of tuna before Nodoka took her spoon to take a bite.

"Hmmm, great choice cuts of fish Akane! The rice is cooked thoroughly and still very warm." Nodoka hummed when she took another bite. Akane looked beyond relieved.

"Thank you-"

"My turn! My turn!" Genma swiped the bowl away and slurped up the last remains. "Hmmmmm! This is good! Not bad, not bad at all Akane-kun! Can you make another?!" Genma dropped the bowl to show bits of rice only left.

"That did look good. Can we have a bowl?" a classmate asked from the crowd.

"Me too!"

"Me! Me! I want Akane's cooking!" Akane looked to the excited crowd, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sudden attention to her cooking. Yuka and Sayuri came to her side with gentle congratulations. As the yellow team returned to their kitchen, the other three girls had the aura of promised death and pain for their biggest rival of love.

Akane was winning, winning at cooking?! What magic is she using?! She must be cheating, how else can she suddenly cook so well?

"Lastly the Blue Team!" Ukyo quickly walked up with her chosen dinner dish: Kitsune Udon.

"Udon? That's new."

"Quiet a different direction from a okonomiyaki chef."

"Still looks authentic to me. Looks just like the ramen shops special bowls!"

"Can we ask Ukyo to make us a bowl next time?"

Hearing the positive remarks for her dish had Ukyo calm down a bit. She was still good for the next round!

"Smells delicious Ukyo-san." Nodoka smiled just as Genma snapped apart new chopsticks.

"Very good udon and broth! I could eat this all day! Umai!" Genma guzzled down more, before Nodoka slapped his hand to let them have a taste.

"Looks authentic and tastes just as good. Perfect for lunchtime." Nodoka hummed after savoring the broth. When it was Ranma's turn, not much was left, but he slurped the rest with no problem.

"You should try other meals on your menu Ukyo. You might bring in more customers." A soft smile gifted from him, but so needed for the young chef.

"Dinner course completed! What do the judges say, for the Red team?!" No one moved to raise their red flags. Mousse waved frantically, but was silenced by Cologne. "Well, it looks like the Red Team suffered this round."

"I want a rematch! Due over!"

"Sorry Shampoo, voting is already over." the amazon huffed and began pacing like a jungle cat.

"How about the Green Team?" a third of voters waved their flag over their heads.

"How about the Blue Team?" About the same amount of flags colored blue waved their answer.

"How about the Yellow Team?!"

"Tendo-san!"

"Akane!"

"Akane-san!"

"Good job Akane!"

The stands, even the sidelines were standing, and cheering for their hometown contestant.

Akane gave a watery smile to the crowd, completely floored by the crowd's reaction. She looked towards the judges, and Nodoka gave a gentle nod.

"Ladies and gentlemen! It has come down to this! One last round! The desserts! There will be no special requirements in this last round. Just make your best before time is up!"

The bell gonged and the lady contestants immediately dashed about their kitchens to make their chosen sweets.

"Shampoo will not lose this round!" The Amazon huffed to herself, slamming around her cookware in a huff still sore from the previous course.

"I, Kodachi the Black Rose will sweep this contest with my best sweet dessert. The Saotome family will only beg for more!" She laughed in her usual high pitched squeal while prancing around the kitchen with practice ease.

Ukyo did her best not to panic so much, but it was the last test, the very last one before the winner was decided. For her recipe to work out she had to prepare the gelatin at the beginning of the tournament. Two hours had already passed so Ukyo took her time to cut the second peach up into pieces for the filling.

In fact she was humming to herself all relaxed.

"Ten minutes on the clock! Start preparing your dishes!"

Kodachi finished fanning her desserts and was soon dressing them with a chocolate glaze. Shampoo was simply waiting for hers to finish cooking on the stove top and Akane held a stern look of focus cutting what looked like peaches and strawberries into fine slices.

What was even stranger was Yuka and Sayuri was staying out of the chef's way by standing off at the sidelines.

"One minute left! Only seconds to go!"

Ukyo was calm as she added the small mint leaf to garnish her dessert before placing the silver top over the food.

"Finish!"

"Countdown! Ten, nine, eight, seven!"

"Six! Five! FOUR!" The crowd chanted.

"THEE!" Momo screamed along!

"TWO! ONE! Time's up! Step away from your desserts!"

All four girls raised their hands high once time was declared over.

"This is it, ladies and gentlemen, the last round! In the dinner course, Shampoo was last, so we will start with the Red kitchen!"

Shampoo held her head high with pride knowing her dessert would wow the judges.

"A simple treat for my husband to be, Sesame Seed Anko Balls!" She revealed her dessert which was not mooncakes that were traditional Chinese sweets.

The audience watched stiff with anticipation as the judges looked at the steamy hot balls of dough and anko bean paste.

After a quiet minute all three shook their heads.

"Eeeeeehhhhh?! What's going on?"

"They won't eat Shampoo's dessert?!"

"Ranma's rejecting food?! Is he full by now?"

"It's unheard of!"

"So, it looks like our judges have turned down the first dessert." The announcer scratched her cheek in confusion.

"Airen, Shampoo cook this for you. Are you, full?" Shampoo quivered from thinking the inevitable. Ranma simply shrugged.

"Not in the mood for sesame seed balls."

"Okay! Onward to kitchen Green! Kodachi!"

The heiress shoved Shampoo aside with her hips as she sauntered up with her culinary surprise.

"Indulge on these delicious chocolate eclairs~" she pulled open the tray cover and fresh French eclairs were stacked neatly on top of each other. Knowing Ranma's and Genma's appetite they would definitely want more than just two.

Genma giggled with glee, inhaling the fresh bread before taking two and easily swallowing them whole.

"Chocolate doughnuts! Delicious!"

Kodachi laughed, having one judge's approval and smiled down at Nodoka, aka her future mother-in-law. Nodoka looked at the dessert then looked at the gymnast before shaking her head!

"N-Nodoka-sama!" Kodachi took a step back, truly floored that her mother in law won't eat her delicious treats! Didn't she think she was the most superior to the rest of these phonies?

Kodachi choked watching as Ranma pushed the plate away from his mother's face and over to Genma's greedy mouth.

"Well, we got one judge's vote, but with two out of three I see we have our vote."

"Whoa, both Shampoo and now Kodachi…" Ukyo gulped down the anxiety rising and just kept her breathing calm.

"Next up! The Blue Kitchen! Please come forward!"

Ukyo kept her gaze forward to the judge's table, her hands slightly shaking but her face was smiling.

"Please enjoy some of my favorite desserts: Peach Jello!"

Ukyo pulled up the cover and Ranma and Nodoka visibly relaxed.

"Jello? Usually gelatin takes a few hours to harden. How did you get it done on time?" Nodoka asked before taking up a spoon. Seeing this was a good sign!

"I knew desserts would be the last round, so while preparing dinner I also prepared the gelatin with the peach juice and slices."

"Mmm, sweet and refreshing! Thank you Ukyo-chan." Nodoka smiled up at the chef.

"Peaches taste good, Ukyo-kun!" Genma smiled while swallowing his portion whole. Ukyo's smile grew tight in displeasure, but stayed polite enough to let it pass over her.

Then she looked at Ranma, hope filled in her eyes…. And he took a spoonful of her jello.

"It's good Ucchan."

"I'm glad Ranchan! Eat on up!" Ukyo was bouncing on her feet returning back into her kitchen. She smiled pretty over towards Akane's side, but the lousy cook and competitor stared at the judge's table.

"Tough luck Akane! I've won this game!" Ukyo had no fear, she knew she won.

"And now! For our last chef! Yellow Team! Please present your dish!"

The crowd was silent, everyone was holding their breaths. Akane walked towards the table, eyes stayed glued to Ranma and Nodoka. Gently she placed her dish down.

"I've made a dessert for each of you." Akane took a deep breath and revealed your dessert!

"Oooo! A fruit parfait!"

"A berry parfait! Looks yummy!"

"Wait! That one is different! That one has chocolate and banana!"

"I see one with matcha!"

"Three different parfaits!"

Akane took the chocolate and banana parfait and placed it in front of Genma. The matcha and mint was placed in front of Nodoka and the peach and berry mix was placed in front of Ranma.

"Nodoka-san enjoys green tea, so I wanted to give her a green tea dessert to finish the meal."

"Thank you Akane-kun!" The patriarch smiled and took her spoon to scoop up a bite. A pleasant hum came from her throat and she scooped up another bite.

"I've never made a chocolate one, but I do know Genma likes chocolate more than other desserts."

"I eat pretty much anything, but this is definitely new Akane-" suddenly he slumped over his seat and fell asleep.

"What happened?!"

"Is this it?! Are Akane's disasters coming back?!" Akane flinched but Nodoka stood up.

"Perhaps it's from all the eclairs he ate a minute ago." Nodoka held up one eclair still left behind. "Should we get this eclair evaluated for any drugs?"

"No need mom. It's just sleeping powder. Kodachi is notorious for having a supply."

Kodachi looked away from everyone, looking as guiltless as possible, but by now it was a well known fact that she always had something crafty up her sleeve.

"Why else did we not eat Shampoo's dessert? Would probably be under another spell that would take all day to recover from. Not a very good impression on my mother as her future daughter-in-law, is it?" Ranma crossed his arms and glared at the Chinese amazon.

Shampoo at least had the decency to look guilty.

Ranma then looked at his parfait and took a scoop!

Everyone gasped! This could be it! Will Akane flop like she always does?! Is her winning streak finally over?!

"Umai! UMAI! This beats the ice cream shop!" Ranma continued to scarf down his peach and berry parfait with gusto just like if he was enjoying them out at the ice cream parlor. "I'll take another please?"

"Yes! Yuka!"

Her kitchen assistant brought out another replica of the same parfait and Ranma ate it with glee.

How crazy was this? Ranma and the judges were not falling over from Akane's cooking! Genma was still snoozing away, the sleep powder not wearing off, but he was ignored.

"Aaaaah! Perfect ending for today's meal!" Ranma relaxed against his chair and patted his full belly. "Akane, what's the menu for tomorrow?" He was smiling while Akane beamed from the attention and compliments.

It didn't make the other contestants feel any better.

"And now! We are approaching the grande finale of this cooking match. This vote however is not upto the audience, but to the judges. Let's take a look at the dishes eaten!"

"Shampoo's dish:Dessert not touched, therefore no points!"

Shampoo sagged to the floor, failure creeping up her skin. She had lost.

"Kodachi's dish: only one ate the dish and sleeping powder is indeed inside the eclairs. Breaking of rules, you are now disqualified."

"Me?! Disqualification?!" Kodachi shrieked.

"And no amount of money is going to buy your spot back." Ranma added in.

"Did someone say money?" Genma immediately sat up straight at the sound of money. Nodoka just pulled out the family sword and placed it on the table. Genma laughed nervously, sweating bullets before sitting back down. Seeing the parfait he scarfed down his chocolate parfait as to not say anything else stupid.

"Nonsense. There's no price I cannot pay. Just name it." Kodachi begged, pleading with clenched hands.

"To even use money to buy me as your mother in law, you insult me, and it's a definite way of never becoming part of my family."

"Nodoka-sama." Kodachi whimpered, but the Saotome patriarch held up her hand to silence her.

"Remove yourself while you still have a bit of dignity." Nodoka turned her nose from her and Kodachi finally saw this act as dismissal.

"If Nodoka-sama has dismissed me, then, I have no choice but to accept defeat." Kodachi's lip wobbled and covered her face to not show her tears.

A slight show of compassion appeared on the judges faces, even the audience-

"I burn now with a new passion for Ranma! I will win back his affection for me!"

Compassion was immediately crushed by the Kuno stupidity.

"I'll be back with some more tasty treats my love! Oooh hohoho!" Kodachi gracefully leaped away in a shower of black petals. The audience just simply watched. Some things may never change.

"As for Ukyo's dish: all three have eaten her dessert."

"Yes! Looks like we are tied, Akane!" Ukyo crossed her arms and faced Akane.

"Akane's dish: All have eaten their desserts. It does look like a tie here."

"Are you sure, announcer?" Nodoka spoke, pointing to one of the jello cups. Two out of the three cups were empty, for the last cup had one scoop missing.

Akane's parfait glasses were scraped clean.

"It's true! We have a winner!" The announcer exclaimed. "All of Akane's desserts have been eaten! Team Yellow is victorious!"

Ukyo froze up. Not a tie, she actually lost? To Akane, in cooking?!

"Congratulations Akane!" Yuka and Sayuri grouped hug their friend as she cried happy tears. She won! She truly won, with her own hands at a skill she never thought she could prevail in.

"She cheated."

Akane looked over to the quiet chef with her head downcast. Ukyo opened her mouth but Shampoo beat her to the punch!

"Clumsy cook Akane could not have beaten Shampoo in a skill she can't possibly improve on! Who has been cooking her meals?!" Shampoo jumped to her feet and stomped her way into Akane's kitchen. "Barbarian Tendo can't cook!"

"Correction: she can cook."

The crowd gasped as the eldest Tendo daughter walked up to the stage. She bowed to the audience and Nodoka allowed her to speak.

"For the past few weeks Akane has been preparing our family meals. Gradually preparing small dishes to make the desserts, and then the main dinner courses. Seeing as our whole family has been complimenting on the food and hasn't had to get the stomachs pumped just proves it. She's been under the watchful eye of Nodoka and myself when in the kitchen for every meal until she felt comfortable to cook on her own. Her first time here during this contest. Akane can cook edible food."

Kasumi looked over to her baby sister with pride.

"And I'm so proud of her accomplishments. Congratulations little sister." Kasumi clapped for her and the judges stood and clapped as well. Soon the whole audience stood to applaud Akane's growth and her well earned victory. Their hometown girl has truly blossomed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Tendo Akane is our winner!" The announcer bellowed, and confetti popped from above the yellow kitchen.

"Wait!"

The roar from Ukyo stopped all cheering as she stormed up to the judges' table.

"Why? Why didn't you finish my jello? Did it not taste good?" Ukyo asked for an explanation from her crush.

"Simple. I wanted to save room for Akane's dessert."

The girl's in the crowd squealed! The boy's whooped and hollered, some even whistled!

"He said it! He wanted Akane's cooking more than the others!"

"He really does like her."

"Ya think?! His actions have been speaking quite loudly lately."

"How romantic!"

"But, but…" Ukyo had to persuade him somehow, this was not how she expected her day would end. "You've eaten both of our desserts, so how could I…"

"Only took one bite, Ucchan." Ukyo snatched up the cup and held it upto Ranma's face.

"Then finish the rest of it! Akane and I need to have a sudden death match!" Ukyo was growing desperate! Things could not end like this!

A hand suddenly appeared, gently placed over the chef's hands.

"Ukyo."

Said girl looked up to see Ryoga who had sad eyes.

"It's over."

He took the cup away from her hands, but she was quick to snatch it back.

"Just finish the cup! You haven't tasted it all yet!"

"Ucchan." Ranma stood up, but the chef kept pushing the cup of jello towards face.

"Please have some more! You might change your mind!" Ryoga started to pull her away, but Ukyo began to struggle. The lost boy had to hold her by the waist as he walked backwards away from the judges' table.

"Ukyo stop. The judges have spoken. You didn't win."

"But I love Ranma more than any of these hussies! I'm the cute fiancée! His true fiancée!" Ukyo was in fight mode, ready to keep her place as fiancée. She worked too hard to lose now.

Especially at cooking!

The cup was suddenly swept away by an eager child and quickly gobbled up.

"Mmm! It's yummy! Thanks Ucchan!"

"Momo! That wasn't for you!" Ukyo was appalled that the pig/girl grabbed her food without permission.

"Well, he wasn't gonna eat it, so why waste it?" Momo sasses back. The audience snickered at the sassy child. Even Nodoka chuckled behind her fist. Takeru busted out laughing. Ukyo had a bit of sass when she was a child. It definitely showed where this mysterious child got her inspiration from.

"At least the jello tastes better than the chalky paste balls that mean Chinese hussyl made. Nothing beats Ucchan's cooking!"

The area was dead silent for one whole minute.

"Chalky, paste balls?" Ukyo asked.

"Mean, Chinese girl?!" Ryoga asked.

"AAAAIIIIYYAAAAHH! Airen's dessert! First I lose, and now that piglet eats my food again?! You fat, little, greedy runt! I should have skinned you when I had the chance!" Shampoo shrieked, stalking upto the pig turned child, but Ukyo stood in front of Momo.

"Did you put in some crazy Chinese magic in those balls? She's cursed already! I don't need another spell to try and break!" Her battle spatula materialized in her hand, the Okonomiyaki chef was itching to blow off some steam!

SPLASH!

"That is enough!" Akane had left to return with a big pail of cold water! "Will you both get a grip already?!" Akane stared down at the pile of wet clothes seeing a familiar pink and purple cat emerge hissing and screaming, but also seeing a familiar chef's clothes all wet and in a pile. Out of Ukyo's clothes was a pink piglet!

"Ukyo?!" Akane exclaimed.

"Ukyo's cursed too?!" Ranma leaped out of his seat to see the piglet himself but she was suddenly scooped up by a grown Momo.

"If the game is over, can I take Ukyo home now?"

"Ukyo!? But, wait?! There's two of you?!" Ranma pointed back and forth between the piglet squirming in her hands and the smiling Momo.

"Ukyo?!" Takeru was out of his seat now seeing his daughter transformed into a pig by just a bucket of water! "What on Earth is in the water here?!"

"It's nothing in the water, believe me sir." Ryoga waved off his confusion, gathering up Ukyo's clothes. Stuffing a mushroom into her mouth Momo quickly puffed back into her child's form.

"Thanks Mousse. Now take Shampoo home. I believe this competition is over." Ryoga picked up Momo in one arm while holding a squirming, fighting pink piglet by her bow tie in the other outstretched arm.

"Quite right. Now Shampoo-AAAAAHHH! Don't attack me! I'm taking you home!" Mousse had reached for the cat, but she pounced on his face, scratching and clawing. Cologne thankfully came out of nowhere and tapped her great granddaughter with her stick just as she leapt towards Akane, paralyzing the cat.

"Now Ranma, as agreed, this is the last contest. Any regrets for not choosing my Shampoo? The strongest Amazon in our tribe after me?" Cologne asked.

"No regrets. Don't want to be put under a spell of love for the rest of my life." Ranma crossed his arms.

"Hmmm, very well. I see your heart cannot be changed. We'll see you around, Saotome Ranma."

That was the first time that Cologne had called Ranma by his name and not son-in-law. It looks like the elder was truly done trying to fight for the young teen.

Shampoo had an aura of revenge, glaring hotly at Akane.

The Amazons walked off stage and back towards their restaurant with Mousse trying and failing to calm Shampoo. Even if she was paralyzed from the neck down her shrieks of her tantrum were heard even after they walked out the fields.

"Well, that's two down, and lastly, Ucchan…" Ranma turned his attention to Ryoga still holding a determined piglet trying to get to Ranma.

"Did Ukyo go to China too?" Ryoga quickly shook his head.

"Shampoo." Was all the lost boy said before leaving the stage. Ukyo struggled harder, getting further and further away from her destination.

"Ucchan," Ryoga stopped so Ukyo could see the pig-tailed boy. His eyes were a bit sad looking down at her. "We'll have a talk tomorrow. It's about time we had a long heart to heart one, too." Ranma then looked at Takeru. "Mr. Kunoji, for my father I apologize, and for myself for leading your daughter this long." He bowed his head low from the waist.

A genuine apology that stunned everyone, and made his mother tear up with pride.

Takeru scratched his beard as a nervous twitch, now having the audience's attention. The young man had already apologized, twice for his dimwitted father, and was even working to pay off the money he owed. Correction: his father owed him, but he was being a man about the situation and paying it off himself. What more did Ranma have to do to prove his sincerity?

Well, staying true to the girl who has his heart and getting married of course.

"Thank you Saotome Ranma. I know you mean well now." Takeru bowed his head in acknowledgment.

His daughter, now turned piglet, had something else to say.

She honked and squealed in protest, growing madder by the second, but was taken away by Ryoga from the stage.

"Ukyo, stop it! The contest is over-oh no…" Ryoga had completely forgotten Diana's Ring on Ukyo's finger which glowed a fiery red!

POOF!

"Unhand you coward! I still have plenty to say here!" Ukyo ranged and raved now back in human form. Ryoga acted fast with flying speed, and pulled off his shirt to swipe over Ukyo's bare body. His shirt was long enough to cover up to her thighs. He pulled his umbrella to block the crowd from seeing more of Ukyo than they needed to.

"Let's just go back to your shop." Ryoga was as calm as he could muster, begging Ukyo to just retreat for now and fight tomorrow.

Finally Ukyo's ragged breath slowed down to even breaths. She wasn't going to win this, was she?

Anger washed away to sadness. The ring fading fast to its milky white color. The realization kicked in at last to the chef.

"I lost Ryoga." Said lost boy hated Ukyo looking so down. "In cooking no less." Ukyo's tears were kicking in fast, but Ryoga hugged her to his shoulder. The feeling of defeat, he knew all too well. Being her comfort was his only goal now.

"Let's go home." And this time Ukyo did not fight back.

---

We made it to the food fight finale'! Were you expecting that ending?

Just a quick life update: Working three jobs now (two when Summer is over), had some home and room change ups, but life so far is going well. Lost some family during COVID, but for the most part recovery well. Hope you all are safe, well and healthy. I am typing up future stories, but will they be posted? Who knows! My time is split a lot these days, but I do my best to type when can and/or inspired!

Until next time,

-Shiza